Baroness Thatcher admitted to hospital with infection

Baroness Thatcher has been admitted to hospital with an infection after a bout
of flu.

The 85-year-old former prime minister was taken to Cromwell Hospital in Kensington for “routine” tests and treatment.

A spokesman said her condition was not serious but was better treated in hospital than at home. Her son, Mark, said the admission was "a precautionary measure". She is expected to leave hospital within days.

Lady Thatcher had to pull out of a party held at Number 10 Downing Street for her birthday last last week after falling ill with suspected flu.

The 85-year-old sent a message to David Cameron, who hosted 150 guests in her honour last Thursday, saying: “On this particular occasion I have had to accept that the Lady is not for returning. Please, please enjoy yourselves.”

She is understood not to have fully recovered from last week's illness. Aides called in a doctor to assess her condition this afternoon and she was taken from her home to hospital shortly afterwards.

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Lady Thatcher's son Sir Mark Thatcher arrived at the hospital last night dressed in black tie.

He said: "She's been recovering quite well but the doctors wanted to bring her into hospital for some routine tests over the next couple of days. If they go according to plan she'll be home shortly."

Sir Mark said he was "happy to see her" and added: "She is in very good spirits, absolutely excellent. It's entirely precautionary."

Lady Thatcher was advised by doctors to give up making public speeches in the wake of a series of minor strokes in 2005. But she continues to attend some public functions, and was present at a recent address by the Pope during his state visit to Britain.

The Conservative peer, who was prime minister from 1979 to 1990, was taken ill during a dinner in Westminster in March 2008 and spent the night in hospital as a precaution, but was later given a clean bill of health.